The Hedge-Threader. 199 



THE HEDGE-THREADER. 



In early spring, the season of pairing and mating 

 among our native birds, one of the most silent of them 

 breaks out into song, to continue it at intervals, but still 

 sparingly, through the summer months. I speak of the 

 so-called hedge-sparrow, or hedge accentor (Accentor 

 modiilnris), though both the above trivial appellations, as 

 well as the scientific one, seem to me not only inappro- 

 priate, but somewhat absurd. Sparrow it is not in any 

 sense, having no relationship with the true Fringillidm, 

 and the clumsy title, " accentor " is equally ill-bestowed 

 upon it, as also " hedge warbler," another of its names. 

 Still another, " dunnock," is too local, and of too obscure 

 signification ; " shuffle- wing " being better, as denoting a 

 characteristic habit of the bird. "Blue Isaac " is one of 

 its designations in the Wye Valley, the name having 

 reference to the bluish tint of its plumage, in connection 

 with its quaint ways. As this bird is somewhat of a 

 favourite with me, I will venture to suggest for it a cog- 

 nomen which seems better than any of the above; viz., 

 "Hedge-threader." No one who has ever watched it 

 as it worms and threads about through stoles and bran- 

 ches in a hawthorn hedge will deny the appropriateness 

 of the suggested title. 



The song of the Hedge-threader I decline calling it 

 either sparrow or accentor though not loud, is remark- 

 ' ably sweet ; the bird, while giving utterance to it, stand- 

 ing perched on a spray, with open beak and shivering 

 wings, seemingly straining upon its legs, as if the song 

 cost it an effort. Not for its melody, however, does it so 

 much deserve being a favourite as for its quiet, unob- 



